INTERVIEW: Scott Adsit and John Lutz
Hitting Your Mark in Hollywood Thanks to Aren Zolninger from Chicago Improv Productions, I was able to sneak in a few minutes to interview Scott Adsit and John Lutz before they took the stage for their "Super Secret" midnight show at Stage 773. As we were waiting for the show ahead of us to clear out, Scott, John and I stepped into a back hallway with CIP staff and a Read More
I admit that I haven’t been to my fair share of Second City shows. I’ll also admit that one of the biggest reasons why is because, in general, I have a hard time enjoying sketch comedy. Lastly, I will admit that, to my delighted surprise, this revue was very well received by this lady.
If anyone has seen Improvised Shakespeare, The Beatbox or HATERADE, it should be no surprise then that Andy Carey and Ross Bryant have come together again to put on a rap show for your viewing pleasure. (And if you haven’t seen the previously mentioned shows, might I recommend that you do so.) I personally am a sucker for hip-hop and then you tell me it’s improvised hip-hop, honey, you just made my day. These two pull suggestions out of the crowd throughout the performance to fuel their raps and then they’re off.
I spent my Saturday at Chicago School of Comedy’s “Four Star Comedy Fest” at Navy Pier. They advertised free workshops during the day, along with a free live podcast with Charna Halpern and sold tickets to a show with three of the best improv acts in Chicago along with Uncle’s Brother, (Tim Meadow’s improv group) hosted by Tim Kazurinsky. In short, I will say the following: when there are free improv workshops open to the public, do not assume to learn anything from them. In fact, skip them and go get a drink and discuss the beauties of life, improv and comedy with a good friend. (Thank you, Ayala.) Baby Wants Candy, Cook County Social Club and Improvised Shakespeare are incredible. This is not news, but it needs to be said once again; they are all mind blowing and all for different reasons.
I am on cloud nine. So many Tims just made my world complete this evening. I have had the pleasure of seeing this show one other time, but tonight was a pleasure all unto it’s own. Tim Whetham, Tim Chidester, Tim Stoltenberg, Tim Ryder, Tim Paul and Timmy Mayse all made an appearance tonight.
Timmy Mayse is one of my favorite improvisers. Period. He owns his shit from the moment he steps on stage. Every time, without fail. From a sexually distraught woman pining for a spicy lover to an attorney role-playing southern prostitution with his wife to a soloist handicap kid singing about how RoboCop has had a hand in all major events throughout American history, Timmy Mayse, my friends, does it all. This guy absolutely kills me. I would watch every show he’s in if I could. It’s like indulging in a great desert. Timmy Mayse is my improv decadence.
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They’ve done it again, as they do every Friday night.
I saw The Improvised Shakespeare Company last night at iO and the night led off with the suggestion of “Funky Monkey.” I watched as the story began with a shipwrecked crew getting washed ashore and the Captain and his daughter end up meeting Abraxas, a creature on the island who was under the obedience of the master, Megaphon. Meanwhile, lost men, Antonio and Rodrigo, find one another and together search for Rodrigo’s long lost love, Gwendolyn, who happens to be the Captain’s daughter. A tricky creature Storio appears throughout the show flinging poo wherever he goes and transforming into various characters and causing mischief. As their journey continues to connect the Captain with Megaphon and for Rodrigo and Gwendolyn to find one another, Rodrigo and Antonio end up kissing and “hugging like bugs,” a centaur ends up entering the story and fires roar on stage.
